One of the biggest headaches in the Android smartphone realm is the lag time between when Google releases an OS update and when smartphone manufacturers release their own customized version. That can mean when Google releases a new version of Android, it can be months before some users are able to get it on devices that use custom user interfaces.

HTC is now reportedly considering offering a version of the popular HTC One smartphone that lacks the unloved Sense user interface. Multiple sources are now indicating that HTC has a software build in the works for a plane HTC One running nothing but Android 4.2.2.

At this point, the rumors don't offer any indication of exactly how people will go about purchasing a version of the HTC One running plain Android. The device could be sold via the Google Play Store, but that is unconfirmed.

Sources did indicate that HTC will make the Sense-less version of the One available first in the U.S. The one caveat to a Sense-less version of the HTC One could be the lack of software support for some of the features that make the phone so good, such as BeatsAudio the HTC ImageSense software.

HTC also already has a Developer Edition of the One, and a Senseless version could muddy the waters for the company.

I remember getting my Desire and thinking Sense was really good. It was certainly one of the better manufacturer skins out there.

Then the Sensation rolled around, which did Sense a lot of harm. Bloated, hogging resources, overriding beloved Google apps like Maps with crappy custom versions, and crashing constantly.

It's a shame, because the original Sense was superior to whatever version of Android was kicking around back in the day (Froyo I believe). Now that stock Android has upped its game, and the with decline of skeuomorphic interfaces, the case for Sense is a lot weaker.

I still think that, out of all Android manufacturers, they have the lead in industrial design though.

You nailed it. These things are commodity items hardware-wise. If the manufacturers ran stock Android on more or less similar, stock hardware then they have no way of differentiating themselves. These corporate types are not just trying to make an OK phone they hope they can sell. They are swinging for the fences. They want to be the new iPhone. Samsung has done it. They are cleaning up these days. And yes, they have a custom UI don't they.